The History of Villamartin
Villamartin History around Torrevieja in the Costa Blanca region
Villamartin is situated near to Torrevieja in the Costa Blanca region of Spain. Although it is famous for golf, the history of Villamartin can be traced right back to prehistoric times. Villamartin history is an important part of the history of Spain. It has also has been a strategic location linking Cadiz, Seville and Malaga. Archaeologists have found Palaeolithic deposits around the Guadalete river. The big megalithic necropolis known as the Dolmenic area of Alberite is found in the plains of Villamartin. As such this makes historians believe that Villamartin history starts from around the 5th millennium B.C.
The Romans built several roads across Villamartin and over the years numerous artefacts have been discovered. Visigoth remains have also been found. More recent finds have been from Arabic and Christian people. From the 8th century A.D. the entire region fell under Muslim control. The Matrera fields formed part of the Cora territory of Ronda. At the end of the 9th Century Omar Ben Hafsun built the fortress of Matrera. In 1248, Fernando III re-conquered th area. His son, Alfonso X, began a campaign in 1253 to remove all the local Muslim chiefs. On June 10th of 1256, Alfonso X pledged the castle and its ground to Orden. Matrera fields once again fell under Muslim control, and remained so until Alfonso XI, re-conquered it in 1341. In 1421, Juan Ortega, a Sevillian undertook to populate the town and Guillén de las Casas financed the building of the new settlement, including a tower. In 1445 the history of Villamartin took a new twist when the Duke of Arcos stopped a new siege by the Granadian King Mohamed Aben Ozmin. In 1452 there were battles in the Encinar de Mataparda, and in 1482 the battle of “Lomo del Judío” took place. In 1486 a lawsuit between Ines Peraza and the Concejo council of Seville, caused the Catholic Kings to take control. In a letter from “El tumbo de los Reyes Católicos del Consejo de Sevilla” it was revealed that Ines Peraza owned the district of Villamartin under condition of building a fortress in it. Seville had invaded the district and expelled Ines and her family. On May 20th 1486 the Reyes Católicos were ordered to give the place back to Ines Peraza. In 1485, Matrera field was no longer a border, and was repopulated. After the defeat of Granada, three military powers took over these three territories: Seville took the Matrera Castle, the Peraza family took the tower of Villamartin, and the marquis of Cadiz took Hortales Castle. The foundation of Villamartin dates from February 4th 1503, when the Cabildo (court) of Seville decided to populate the Matrera fields area, conceding them to 118 settlers, who came from surrounding towns. Later, these settlers were expelled from the area and they filed for the fulfilling of the Carta Puebla. This lawsuit went on for three centuries being finally resolved on 9th February 1818. This law process is known as “El Pleito de Matrera”, and this aspect of Villamartin history is the longest in the whole History of Spain.
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The exceptional climate allows outdoor activities all year round such as golf, bowls and tennis along with most water sports.
The wonderful winter climate with lowest average temperature of 15c, together with 320 days of sunshine each year, combined with the famous mediterranean diet of fresh meat, fish, vegetables, fruit and wine go towards making it one of the healthiest places in Europe.